One of my goals for 2021 was to write an article each day exploring deeper topics of American horology. I examined stories that intrigued me, identified key figures that are often overlooked, and surprisingly fell into deep studies I thought I would only briefly cover for a few days. Hopefully, I was able to relay these stories effectively to you and bring a new appreciation for the products and histories of the mostly-forgotten American watch companies. I learned a lot and hope you did as well. I achieved my goal of posting an article every day in 2021... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 2 weeks ago

Pictured: “Watch Bridge” U.S. Patent #D18722 In a move that was rather uncommon for watch manufacturers at the time, the Non-Magnetic Watch Company of America applied for a design patent to cover the plate design used for the Badollet Model movements. On September 10, 1888, Charles Willis Ward submitted an application for a United States patent, describing the movement plate profiles in detail. This design patent was granted on November 6, 1888, offering protection from other enterprises aiming to replicate the model design. Interestingly, the day following the patent’s issue, Ward submitted another application, aiming to protect the same model design with a unified train bridge. This patent was also quickly granted to Ward on December 18, 1888... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 2 weeks ago

Pictured: Closeup of the Bi-Metallic Palladium Alloy Balance Patented by Paillard, From a Grade No. 73 Non-Magnetic Watch Co. of America Movement, #65426 On March 8, 1887, Charles-Auguste Paillard was granted a patent for his palladium alloy compensation balance. At the time, conventional compensation balances were constructed of steel and brass, allowing for controlled expansion and contraction during temperature changes, precisely adapting the oscillation rate to compensate for metal dilation.  The patent application specified Paillard’s intent for the new balance: “The object of my invention is to produce a bi-metallic compensation-balance which will not be subject to magnetic and climatic influences to heat or cold, nor affected by or subject to rust or corrosion - in other words, a compensation-balance practically, if not entirely, non-magnetic, inoxidizable, and non-dilatable.” Paillard suggested that the bi-metallic balance be constructed with a palladium alloy for the inner ⅓ portion of the rim and silver or another palladium alloy for the ⅔ outer rim. In the article published by Edwin J... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 2 weeks ago